Game in a nutshell: The Nationals had to like their chances with Stephen Strasburg on the mound against a Marlins lineup he's owned. And they really had to like their chances after they jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second, with Strasburg and Adam LaRoche each delivering two-run singles. Strasburg did the rest of his damage on the mound, tossing six scoreless innings to bounce back from a ragged outing five days ago. Craig Stammen gave up a run in the seventh, but Sean Burnett tossed a scoreless eighth and then Drew Storen — yes, Drew Storen — pitched the ninth for his first save of the season. Thus, the Nationals took three of four from the Marlins and improved to 22 games over .500: a new season high.

Hitting highlight: The Nationals scored four runs in the bottom of the second, thanks to a pair of clutch hits from their most-consistentRead more »

Was at the game until top of sixth. Heat was brutal.Anyways, my first Strasburg game was not a disappointment. Boy how glad I am to have him for four more years. Only one inning he seemed to struggle with his location, that's it. Great hitting from him also. I think he faced more pitches than our number eight and nine hitters at one point. Very happy to see one more win.

Very nice!!!Can't imagine that in-game posts found too much to nitpick on so I am hoping Swift Eagle was happy.I love that Flores had a productive at bat right in the beginning of the game. I am happy to have Suzuki and think he will catch the bulk of the games but I also think with rest, Flores can contribute a great deal catching two games each week. That is what I was trying to get across in my post earlier. We now have two solid players at this position.Off to Houston – hope their flight won't be delayed with this bad weather that just popped up.Nats have won 12 of 16!!!Go Nats!!

Another great win from this superb club. I'm not sure how many innings Strasburg has pitched now, but maybe he can go mid-September before he's shutdown, if Davey only has him go 6 innings a game from now on. Now we have the horrible Astros up. The Nats can't get complacent and think it's a walk in the park, even though I know they won't. Let's either sweep or win the series, and hope the phils can take 2 out of 3 from the Braves. GYFNG!!!!

An observation on Ryan Zimmerman at the plate this weekend. He seemed to be back off the plate the last 2 days with the front foot inches from pointing near the outside chalk of the righties batters box. Today was 1 for 5 with a infield hit and 2 outs with bases loaded and left 8 men on base.It could be nothing but he was pulling off the outside pitches again. Something to watch for.

I am going to keep posting this until I finally understand.Where am I incorrect here?1. Playoff rosters are set on Aug. 31st (I am guessing that means you must be on the 40 man roster at that time.)2. Call ups begin on Sept 1st – that means anyone on the 40 man can be recalled and here is where we will see LannEn, Perry, HRod, Severino, Rivera etc. If those two statements are correct, when does the first playoff roster have to be submitted to MLB? If those two statements are incorrect, please feel free to make corrections.Again, sorry I can't grasp this yet. My issue is that Strasburg will still be pitching in early Sept. but I am positive he will not be pitching in the playoffs and I want to understand how and when that playoff roster is set.Thanks for putting up with me asking this again.Go Nats!!

1. Playoff rosters are set on Aug. 31st (I am guessing that means you must be on the 40 man roster at that time.)SJM, playoff rosters are set prior to the playoffs from those on the 40 man roster on Aug 31st. You are probably saying the same. You don't have to declare on Aug 31st who is on your 25 man playoff roster.

2. Call ups begin on Sept 1st – that means anyone on the 40 man can be recalled and here is where we will see LannEn, Perry, HRod, Severino, Rivera etc.Yes, but you can still cut players in September and pull new ones from waiver claims or other parts of your Minor League system however those players won't be eligible for the playoffs.

Thanks Sofa and Ghost although reading Sofa's wikipedia report I am still concerned about how they move Strasburg off the 25 man roster – I will let this die now and just wait to see how its handled.I do appreciate you both trying to help me.Go Nats!

I just re-read that Wikipedia article, and I think they messed it up. It used to be right. That's Wikipedia for you. If I understand your question, "When do playoff rosters have to be submitted?", the answer is, anytime up to the beginning of the first game of the series, specifically, when the home plate ump gets the lineup cards.

By the way, Feffer did a good job with "Natitude" and Take Back The Ballpark against the Philthies.I don't think you need to go overboard with fan events but I am sure there are some that never miss a freebie which is part of their package.In Baltimore they line up hours before the game for the giveaways and probably do more giveaways then any other team which is probably how they get people to show up. Personally, I don't need a sponsors t-shirt to get me to show up but obviously some teams need that in lieu of winning.The Yankees don't have in-game entertainment or cheerleaders or the t-shirt toss. They have tradition built around winning.Kasten had that part right, build a winning team and they will show up.

sjm, if Stras finished up in August where he needed to be replaced he could be optioned or DL'd. Lannan is already on the 40 man and would take his place.If the Nats got another pitcher through a waiver wire trade who they wanted to help in the post-season, they need to grab him before August 31st.

Ghost… I don't see any pitching help through the waiver wire. There are better options in the system right now, excluding injuries.In spite of my constant battle with a certain poster, Maya has shown he could be a capable September addition and actually deseves some consideration for being a "good soldier".He and Lannan with another bull pen add (perhaps Garcia to the 40 man) would give Davey enough manageable pitching depth.This all depends on the clubs palyoff standing come September 1st.

Ghost – thank you thank you. I finally have it figured out and the example Sofa used of Zito helped as well. They won't be doing anything with SS at all. No option no dl, he just moves from 40 man to off the 25 man playoff roster. I am sure that for the next 5 or 6 years this will be business as usual for our lads as we dominate MLB.Hey, I dreamed about this season, why can't my dream get a little larger!!Go Nats!

Moving to a new topic – Storen looked great today. Do people here think that Drew and Clip will now be sharing the load? Just like we will no longer be overusing Flores, I think this is another positive step.

If you win games in consecutive days, you can't run the same guy out there for more than maybe three. Probably four in a week? Maybe five? If you are in a lot of close game ( the nats), more than one guy is helpful.

I was afraid maybe Stras had hit the wall for the season. Glad I was wrong about that. I still think he will have bad games because of control due to the TJ surgery, but happy to see there will be some good games also.

@baseballswami – and that's with having guys with superior range all around the infield, so they are getting to plenty of balls (unlike the assorted Vidros, Guzmans and Belliards of OLD). It really validates the team's decision to stick with Desi and Danny during their struggles at the plate.

Sofa. Thanks for picking me up!WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!Just got back from the game and Stas was just great. Good to see since i was at Tuesday 's game! Does anyone know when Ian is due back? Not complaining about our current infield. Just wondering?

That's exactly what we're going to get. His mind knows what he needs to do but his body won't always respond. The Marlins post game show guys figured he'll get 5 maybe 6 more starts and probably 3 maybe 4 of those would be good while the others not so much.

As Mark pointed out the other day SS trending almost exactly the same way Zimmermann did last season. Dominant first half, then a mixed bag in the second half as he just wore down.Which really makes you wonder exactly how dominant Stras can be next year after the performance we've from Zimmermann in 2012.

@SF Nats – it really goes to show that the "don't shut him down" naysayers don't know what they are talking about. It also has to be a scary thought for the rest of the NL East to contemplate for next year.

If those two statements are correct, when does the first playoff roster have to be submitted to MLB? If those two statements are incorrect, please feel free to make corrections.There are two different things: the postseason eligibility list, and the active roster for each playoff series. The eligibility list is set on Aug 31, and consists of the 25 man roster + DLs, bereavement and suspended lists at that time. It is NOT the 40 man roster. Before each playoff series, an active roster for that series is selected from the eligibility list that was formed on 8/31. But there is an injury loophole. If a player on the eligibility list is injured at the start of a playoff series, they can be replaced on the eligibility list by another player from anywhere in the organization. Doesn't have to be from the 40-man, but if it's not a roster move is required (i.e. someone on the 40 gets cut). There used to be a rule that an injured pitcher had to be replaced by a pitcher, and a position player by a position player. But enforcement of that rule seems to be spotty now.As for Strasburg, he will be on the eligibility list because he will be on the 25-man roster on 8/31. They don't need to DL him then because they have other players who will be on the DL at that time. If they can fill all the slots they want for the playoffs by replacing those other DL guys (keep in mind that two of them on the 60-day will definitely still be on the DL then and can be replaced) then they still don't have to DL Strasburg. But if it looks like they won't have enough slots for replacements, they can always DL Strasburg any time after he's shut down and replace him on the eligibility roster at the end of the season.

Thanks NatsJack for your 5:47.I figured we'd have good pitching and defense this year, but I was worried about hitting and scoring runs. You know, with most everyone healthy, this team can rake. I was at Saturday's game and boy that 6 run eight inning was like magic. Me and all the fans around me were yelling our fool heads off. With over 30,000 there today, I bet it was another fun croud to be in.

After a very good Stras start like this, the outsiders will be back to debate the 160 inning limit because they need controversy. THE ONLY person (With the reign of error himself JimBo joining the bandwagon) hurt is the athlete himself: Strasburg. Certainly, the guy will want to keep starting right to the end. Instead he is going to be shutdown. Its going to be a tough thing for him to swallow given the circumstances surrounding this season. Its not going to hurt the Lerners, Rizzo or Davey Johnson. And its not going to change their opinion on the matter if it is backed up the medical professionals like Dr. Andrews.I really wish there was a way to shut those idiots down from all of there prognosticating relative to Stras.

Y'all are going to laugh, but me 'n Davey liked today's game better'n yesterday's. This game was, seriously boring. There was no doubt on the result, none. Just grind it out with all the wheels in place doing EXACTLY what they are supposed to do–get to the playoffs. Not a bit of wasted effort. Got the four runs, and make 'em last. If they needed more, there was more in the tank, but they didn't more…In the postgame they are trying to get Davey to say we have a big road trip coming. Davey is more worried about finally getting back on track after the doubleheader, without overworking the bullpen, and Clip working three days in a row.Someone said it was going to be a sellout, but not close. 30K+. Hard to sell out on a Sunday in August with no fans from the opposing team. It was ALL, I mean ALL Nats fans. Lots of regalia, hats, jerseys, you name it. Ghost, the picnic was always scheduled for August 4. I got the ticket with my ST packet. The problem was they scheduled the doubleheader for the night before the picnic, not vice-versa. When we had the original rainout, I thought they should have played the make-up earlier, but at that time the team was full of injuries. So you take your chances.Davey said he's not going to use Stras as a pinch-hitter, said it was "very unlikely." Today he spent a lot of time on the bases–in the heat–and threw strikes the next inning. Suzuki went out to the bullpen and caught the relievers when they were warming up. Don't know if he volumteered but it was a good idea and a good work ethic on a hot day.

Great game, and great crowd. I know that RFK had a "special something" in 2005, but it seems like this park was built in a way to feel close to the action from anywhere, even when taking a 'shade' break at the concession stands. And the crowd was into it, all game long. LOVE this team.HEY, ESPN, the Nats didn't avoid the sweep, they took 3/4.

Phil Wood has to field those Stras shutdown questions ALL the time and he has more patience than I would have. It's usually some smart-a** who thinks he's got a "solution" to the problem. Believe me, all these so-called solutions have been batted around by smarter guys that you, bud–that's what I would say.

NatsJack in Florida said… Ghost… I don't see any pitching help through the waiver wire.It has to be a pitcher better than Gio Gonzalez who isn't a rental. I'm only thinking of one pitcher. King Felix.Like I have said, doubt it happens but he will instantaneously make the Nats the favorite for the World Series this year and the next 2 years especially.For those who were willing to go all in on Greinke, King Felix is better by far. Why wouldn't you offer that same package plus 1.Cliff Lee is off the table as the Phillies pulled him back.

@Ghost Of Steve M. – yep, Felix would be worth backing up the prospect truck for. Who would care about our "depleted" system if our rotation for the rest of this year and 2013 & 2014 was Stras, Felix, Gio, J-Zimm and Detwiler? That's a rotation for the ages.

Reyes has stayed healthy but won't get the Marlins near 2nd place. They looked good on paper but horrible in terms of team chemistry starting with their freak of a coach.They plunk Espi and it cost them royally.

Ghost……heck yes I'll take King Felix. Almost at any cost. (Remember ALMOST).I've heard the Mariners GM state over and over and over again and again….Felix is not available in any trades.For now, I have to believe him.

Look how poorly pitchers moving at the deadline have performed so far. Dempster, Greinke, Maholm, aren't as good as they were with their previous teams. Maybe it gets better, maybe it doesn't.Big risk. King Felix would get better coming to DC. His game would translate well to this team.

Ichiro asked to be traded…Felix always says he loves Seattle and doesn't want to leave..Guess he like rain and coffee…But yes, there are a few guys you would have to give up almost anything for: Felix, Trout, Votto, Cano, Verlander…I mean you'd have to consider it..

Can't wait to see my Nats live at Minute Maid this next week. I'm trying to catch the last two games when Gio/Zimm pitch. Great job from Stras (again) today, and a great series win. Let's sweep the Lastros and keep this baby rollin along!

Nice, clean, short game. Not many fish on base but it looked to me like SS and Flo were making the needed adjustments to keep Reyes on base. Everyone on this team seems to recognize and then fix, any weaknesses. They shut down the running game and that just shuts one more door.

Went to the game solo today. A few notes: I have an area where if I get there a little early I always get a free parking spot. I got there 1 1/2 hrs early today, no spots. I had to stand in line to get a ticket, I got one in sec.307, went in and got one of the last bobble heads. Though not a sell out the crowd got there early for the giveaway. It was brutally hot for the first pitch. Strasburg showed that he can pitch in 90+ heat. Bryce's catch was super! ALR is something special this year. Burnett looked near un-hittable. Drew Storen is officially back!GYFNG!

Swift Eagle said… But yes, there are a few guys you would have to give up almost anything for: Felix, Trout, Votto, Cano, Verlander…I mean you'd have to consider it.. August 05, 2012 6:58 PM Great list. I'd add McCutcheon and Braun also. Who doesn't belong with all those names? Only Felix and Braun are playing for a loser.

Seamhead, same here. I got to my free parking area more than an hour before game time, and I pretty much got the LAST spot! I might have had to pay for parking!!!! Whew! But I got the spot and also the bobblehead.

If Davey thinks CMW can add something, I'll always be on board…I don't see it, but must admit I've never been a fan of the Delicate Flower CMW….between the injuries, and his own team of trainers/doctors, and the needing 2 hours to warm up….he's doesn't seem worth it to me…But as always, I trust in Rizzo and Davey

Ghost, first thing Jack Zduriencik would ask for is Harper and he'd likely stick with it … then Stras/Gio/JZimm plus!? Multiples thereof. That really truly is a "pipeline" dream. It won't happen. The Nats would sign Grienke before they would do that; when he is free and clear not even costing a draft pick.

Right now CMW sits behind Lannan and the way Menhart was talking … he was pretty effusive … way beyond anything I've read in awhile, a young starting pitcher named Ryan Perry. NatsLady you won't see it here if you ever see it.

I think John Lannan would trump CMW when Stras gets shutdown. John is 2 and 0 for us now. If we have another injury, CMW might get a shot, or if Lannan starts off badly, CMW may come in for long relief.

All good points, Eagle. But, he does have talent. And he went to the minors with an "injury" that, IMO, was right in there with Henry's finger and back. He made the best apology for errors in his personal life that I've seen to-date. This Yankee has been truly humbled. He is a man who REALLY wants to pitch, not for his fans, but for himself. He may not succeed, but it won't be for lack of trying.

I have no doubt CMW goes to the bullpen. But Davey will got with Lannan/CMW based on matchups. Maybe even Maya is in the picture. Davey doesn't give two pins for Lannan waiting months in Syracuse or CMW for his humility. Performance, baby, performance.

He may not succeed, but it won't be for lack of trying.He worked just about as hard as an athlete can work to come back from it. Honestly, his makeup is why first Rizzo and then Davey stuck with him! He does fit well with this rotation in that context.However, I suspect his lack of command of English hurt him. He should have been able to learn and master 1 or 2 new pitches in that time. Look how Drew Storen has begun to master the changeup? Yet, in all that time Chien-Ming couldn't. And we know its NOT through lack of putting out a huge amount of effort. The very first thing he should have done was to master English so that he could talk to some of the veteran pitchers about coming up with new pitches to add to his single, one-and-one-only repertoire. If he made any mistake that was it.

But Davey will got with Lannan/CMW based on matchups.And Ryan Perry who at this point has pitched better than just about any pitcher in the high minors since the 9 starts he has had. The 9 starts in AA I think are the only starts he has ever made in the minors. The Tigers never gave him a chance to start. You have to figure he gets a chance before CMW if the same minor league pitching coaches working with CMW have any say.

I thought Flores was good today. He went out to the mound more, the hit probably helped relax him. Called a good game as well. Was glad to hear that he and Davey had the meeting today (or was it yesterday). Sometimes a good talk helps (or at least I hope)NatsLady, I think Suzuki went out to the BP on his own, or at least I got that impression from listening to Charlie and Dave.

Peric, his English is adequate, certainly for the purpose you cite. (He uses an interpreter for public occasions). However, there is an "aloofness" about CMW that might not have served him well in the interaction with the other pitchers on the Nats' staff. You see them exchanging anecdotes and ideas about hitters, and CMW was not part of that. Really hard to know if that was his choice (focus) or theirs.

It was mentioned by Charlie and Dave that Davey originally spotted Flores when he was in single-A for the Mets. I would bet a one-on-one with the manager who gave him a chance to get to the majors meant a lot.

Really hard to know if that was his choice (focus) or theirs.Either way its been over three years now Natslady. And Storen learns a new pitch in a matter of a few months? There's the difference I see. There is no doubt Wang is a hard worker.

OH! one thing that I didn't mention from the Picnic in the Park Davey Q&A. I didn't know this but Eck was Davey's hitting coach when he was managing USA baseball. So the relationship goes back a long way. (That is how Suzuki knows Eck too )So for those that are in the fire Eck camp.. let your heads explode on that one (although most have been quiet recently)

Peric, if I had to guess, I would guess that Ryan Perry is for next year. The "experiment" is working out great, that's for sure.Perry is out of options after this season. They have to make a decision on him before then. He'll likely get a September start or two. In a sense checking out what they have in him is far more important than pitching the lesser performing John Lannan. They know what they've got in Lannan. They don't know about Perry … at least not yet. And Lannan won't be on the playoff roster since he can't pitch in relief.

Well, if it doesn't work and Rizzo DFA's CMW, I will understand it, just his rotten luck that the Nats are contenders this year. Rizzo is in ruthless mode–as he should be. I will follow CMW in his career even if he's not a Nat, because I'm an admirer, so there you are.

Peric/NatsJack..Knew of the relationship, but didn't know the professional aspect of it. And since the Legion of Doom will come out the next time some player is in a slump and want to fire Eck, just wanted that out there.

I will follow CMW in his career even if he's not a Nat, because I'm an admirer, so there you are.At this point that is likely going to be up to Wang Natslady. The Nats have sufficient cause to squirrel him away and bring him back to compete again … perhaps after a season of winter ball in warmer climes. He might come back closer to what used to be his norm. Who knows?Wang may say he wants his release because he knows the score as far as the Nats depth chart is concerned. My guess is it will happen after the season is over.

NatsLady said… I have no doubt CMW goes to the bullpen. But Davey will go with Lannan/CMW based on matchups. Maybe even Maya is in the picture. Davey doesn't give two pins for Lannan waiting months in Syracuse or CMW for his humility. Performance, baby, performance. August 05, 2012 7:37 PM NatsLady, I don't see Wang making spot starts. Nothing to gain from it as he will be a Free Agent unless another starter is needed but Perry may be the guy to come in after Lannan. This doesn't apply to you but when fans get emotionally attached to players, sometimes its hard to look at them objectively.Great example was Nyjer. The fanbase loved him in 2009 and couldn't come to grips with what he was in 2010. Emotions were all over the place.The Nats wasted millions and 3 years developing Wang as he made his way back from the shoulder injury. When you are in rebuilding mode like the Nats were, they took the chance on Wang. It will just be of those failures like Austin Kearns.Unless you believe in miracles, Wang will probably continue his career as an inconsistent #5 and bounce around. My guess is he will sit like Livan did last September or wait for a chance at mop-up.Perry is interesting. He's on the 40 man. I could see him getting a start and go from there.

There used to be a rule that an injured pitcher had to be replaced by a pitcher, and a position player by a position player. But enforcement of that rule seems to be spotty now.Good summary, just one small addition: this rule was changed, so that teams can substitute any player for any player between series, but during a given series, it's "like for like," and the injured player has to sit out that series, AND the next one.